Best Round of 64 matchup: The 8-9 pairing is usually a solid choice, and the Virginia Tech-Alabama clash shouldn’t disappoint. Collin Sexton can be one of the most dynamic players in the country when healthy, and he has been down the stretch. The Hokies have figured some things out as the season has progressed, most notably how to defense the interior.

Potential upset: Stephen F. Austin is under new management but is still a known giant killer. Texas Tech struggled with injuries in February, most notably to top playmaker Keenan Evans. Though the Red Raiders looked healthier in the Big 12 tournament, they might still be vulnerable. If the Lumberjacks are at all close, they’ll likely pick up support from the home-state crowd in Dallas.

The sleeper: West Virginia will have its hands full just getting out of its opening tilt with a strong Murray State squad, not to mention a potential round-of-32 clash with Wichita State. But if the Mountaineers advance far enough to earn a Sweet 16 date with Villanova, they might just be the kind of team that can pose problems for the Wildcats with their pressing defense. Whether WVU could make enough shots to keep up would be the biggest question, but the matchup could have the potential to ruin a few brackets.

The winner: With that in mind, however, the top-seeded Wildcats appear to have regained the form that had them atop the polls for much of the season. Look for Villanova to erase the memory of last year’s disappointing second-round exit and make it back to the Final Four. They are going for their second national championship in three years.

The teams

1. Villanova

Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Villanova, Pa.

Record: 30-4, 14-4. Bid: Big East champ.

Last appearance: 2017, lost to Wisconsin in round of 32.

Coach: Jay Wright (21-13 in 14 appearances).

Overview: It’s been feast or famine for the Wildcats recently in the tournament, either going all the way or flaming out early. The fate of this year’s group will hinge on its biggest strength. Quite simply, they can shoot the lights out, better than 50% overall and almost 40% from the arc. They also convert at a 77% clip from the free-throw line. The problem: Defense can be suspect when shots aren’t falling.

Overview: The Boilermakers won 19 in a row and looked like the Big Ten’s best before a three-game skid in early February. They responded by winning six in a row before falling to red-hot Michigan in the Big Ten tournament final. Sophomore Carsen Edwards has emerged as an All-American, giving Purdue the alpha dog scorer it needs for a deep March run. The Boilermakers rank second nationally in three-point field goal percentage (42%).

Overview: For a stretch in February, Texas Tech — a defense-first, veteran bunch — looked like the team to unlock Kansas’ Big 12 supremacy. Then when senior guard Keenan Evans hurt a toe; the Red Raiders lost four in a row, falling out of the Big 12 race and dropping a couple of seed lines, too. But if Evans is healthy, Texas Tech could make a run.

Overview: The Shockers’ first trip through their new league wasn’t always smooth. But the more challenging slate ultimately could serve them well, which was the reason for the change. As is the signature of Marshall’s teams, the Shockers aren’t afraid to dive on the floor after loose balls. But this group actually is more successful in a more free-flowing game when it can space the court and find open shooters.

Overview: West Virginia lives and dies with defense. Led by senior guard Jevon Carter, Big 12 defensive player of the year for the second season in a row, the Mountaineers’ smothering pressure is the key — especially because their offense has been frighteningly inconsistent. It might be this simple: How is the officiating? West Virginia can swarm and overwhelm opponents but can rack up fouls in a tightly called game.

Overview: Florida is well-rounded and experienced. The Gators use a four-guard lineup that averages just 9.8 turnovers a game and are eighth overall in turnover margin. Rebounding is a problem: Florida is routinely beaten on the backboard. That can be costly in March.

Overview: Arkansas enters the tournament with one of the top offensive units in the country, including two of the SEC’s five scorers (Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon). Freshman Daniel Gafford is the only player on the team taller than 6-9, and he will be the X-factor, because the Razorbacks have struggled with rebounding.

Overview: The Hokies have been dangerous against some of the best teams, beating Virginia, Duke and North Carolina. Four starters average double figures, led by Justin Robinson, who tops the team in scoring and assists. There’s also strength off the bench with Ahmed Hill (10.8 ppg) and Chris Clarke (8.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg). One thing Virginia Tech lacks, however, is size besides Kerry Blackshear.

Overview: Collin Sexton is one of the best guards in the country, and he has been excellent down the stretch. Alabama struggles from beyond the arc (32.5% from three) and is not a great rebounding team. For Alabama — in the tournament despite 15 losses — to advance, Sexton has to carry the Tide.

Overview: The phrase “the Butler way” gets bandied about a lot. There’s clearly something to it, as the Bulldogs keep finding their way to the Dance despite a succession of coaching changes. In his first year at the helm, Jordan has relied on his veteran leaders to keep the ship moving. They’ll struggle to shut down teams with athletic front courts, but they’ll usually make good decisions with the ball.

Overview: Once the Bonnies got healthy during the conference season, they lived up to the potential. Some early losses suffered when Jaylen Adams was sidelined with an ankle injury were nearly too much to overcome, but in the end their résumé was good enough. They can shoot with just about anyone, but they’ll be at a size disadvantage against most potential opponents.

Overview: The Bruins tend to seesaw between spectacular (win vs. Arizona on the road) and puzzling (a loss at Oregon State). But they know how to score, 82.4 points a game, and they have a big-time playmaker in Aaron Holiday. The question is if they can contain other teams in crunch time; they allow 76.3 ppg. UCLA has a history of success in the NCAA tournament, too: Besides all those national titles won under legendary coach John Wooden, the Bruins have been to the Sweet 16 three of the last four years.

Overview: The Racers have won 13 in a row and dominated a strong Belmont team in the Ohio Valley tournament title game. Senior guard Jonathan Stark is an explosive scorer with takeover abilities, and do-everything guard Ja Morant has added a key ingredient to Murray State’s winning formula.

Overview: The Thundering Herd played spoiler in the C-USA tourney. But this team has some bracket-busting ammunition, with a dynamic offense that ranks in the top 10 in the nation in scoring (85 points a game). Only Marshall has two players who average more than 20 points a game — Jon Elmore and C.J. Burks. Marshall also protects the paint well, with Ajdin Penava, the nation’s leading shot blocker, there to disrupt shooters.

Overview: Stephen F. Austin was second in the conference in points a game (81.7) and in scoring defense (68.4 ppg). The Lumberjacks, who have been known to bust a bracket or two, are led by junior guard Shannon Bogues (16.0 ppg), sophomore swingman Kevon Harris (14.6) and junior forward T.J. Holyfield (12.9).

Overview: Cal State Fullerton is efficient on both ends, shooting 47% and holding opponents to 41.7%. But the Titans do not shoot the three a lot or well (33.8%) and they don’t take care of the ball, averaging more 14 turnovers a game.

Overview: The Blackbirds made an improbable run to the Northeast tournament title in Kellogg’s first season, capped by a win at No. 1 seed Wagner. Now they bring the momentum of a five-game win streak to their first appearance in five seasons. To keep things going, Joel Hernandez and Raiquan Clark will have to carry the scoring load. A lack of size could be a concern with just one regular taller than 6-6.

Overview: Radford, picked to finish seventh in the Big South, overachieved. The Highlanders have won seven in a row, including the conference tournament title game against Liberty with a stunning three at the buzzer by Carlik Jones. Radford plays at a deliberate pace and thus doesn’t fill up the stats sheet or light up the scoreboard. The good news is the Highlanders don’t give up a lot of points (64.4 ppg, 16th in the nation). They will need to be efficient and shoot better than their averages (42.6%, 35% from three) to advance. Buzzer-beating threes certainly would help.

Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson (1) celebrates in front of Providence Friars head coach Ed Cooley after making a three-point shot during the second half of the Big East title game. Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) has the ball stripped by Mississippi State guard Lamar Peters (1) as Bulldogs forward Abdul Ado (24) defends during the first half of their SEC tournament game at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Billy Hurst, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: Kansas forward Silvio De Sousa (22) dunks against Kansas State forward Levi Stockard III (34) during the second half of their game in the Big 12 tournament at Sprint Center in Kansas City. William Purnell, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: Xavier forward Kerem Kanter (11) loses a rebound against Providence guard Alpha Diallo (11) during the second half of their Big East tournament game at Madison Square Garden in New York. Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: Providence guard Kyron Cartwright celebrates the Friars' victory over Xavier in overtime of their Big East tournament game at Madison Square Garden in New York. Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: Texas Tech guard Josh Webster (3) loses control of the ball after being blocked by West Virginia guard Jevon Carter (2) as Mountaineers forwards Sagaba Konate (50) and Wesley Harris (21) look on during the second half of their game in the Big 12 tournament at Sprint Center in Kansas City. William Purnell, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: Arkansas forward Daniel Gafford (10) and Florida forward Dontay Bassett (21) battle for position for a rebound during the second half of their SEC tournament game at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Billy Hurst, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: Villanova guard Jalen Brunson (1) is fouled by Butler guard Kamar Baldwin (3) during first half of their Big East tournament game at Madison Square Garden in New York. Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

March 9: North Carolina guard Joel Berry II (2) reacts with teammates Brandon Robinson (4) and Sterling Manley (21) during the second half of their ACC tournament game against Duke at Barclays Center in New York. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Texas guard Jacob Young, left, guards Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith (2) as he dribbles in the first half of their game in the Big 12 tournament at Sprint Center in Kansas City. Amy Kontras, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: North Carolina forward Sterling Manley dunks while Miami forward Sam Waardenburg looks on during the first half of their ACC tournament game at Barclays Center in New York. Brad Penner, Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Miami guard Lonnie Walker IV, left, fights for possession against North Carolina guard Seventh Woods, right, during the first half of their ACC tournament game at Barclays Center in New York. Nicole Sweet, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Villanova guard Phil Booth, right, drives to the basket against Marquette guard Sam Hauser during the second half of their game in the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York. Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Duke guard Trevon Duval reacts after dunking against Notre Dame as Fighting Irish guard TJ Gibbs (10) reacts during the second half of their game in the ACC tournament at Barclays Center in New York. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Villanova guard Mikal Bridges goes to the basket against Marquette center Matt Heldt during the first half of their Big East tournament game at Madison Square Garden in New York. Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Creighton guard Davion Mintz (1) goes to the basket against Providence center Nate Watson (0) during the first half of their Big East tournament game at Madison Square Garden in New York. Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Kansas guard Marcus Garrett (0) and Oklahoma State guard Kendall Smith (1) fight for possession of a loose ball in the second half of their Big 12 tournament game at Sprint Center in Kansas City. Amy Kontras, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Georgia forward Nicolas Claxton (33) and Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. (13) battle for a rebound during the second half of their game in the SEC tournament at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Billy Hurst, Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Clemson guard Marcquise Reed (2) fights for the ball against Boston College forward Steffon Mitchell (41) during the second half of their ACC tournament game at the Barclays Center in New York. Nicole Sweet, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Clemson forward Aamir Simms, left, reacts next to Boston College guard Jerome Robinson during the first half of a their game in the ACC tournament at the Barclays Center in New York. Nicole Sweet, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Virginia guard De'Andre Hunter (12) and forward Mamadi Diakite (25) defend against Louisville forward Deng Adel during the second half of their game in the ACC tournament at Barclays Center in New York. Nicole Sweet, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Louisville forward Jordan Nwora dunks against Virginia forward Mamadi Diakite during the second half of their game in the ACC tournament at Barclays Center in New York. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

March 8: Xavier forward Naji Marshall celebrates during a timeout of the Musketeers' game against St. John's in the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York. Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

A referee separates Arizona State Sun Devils guard Tra Holder (0) and Colorado Buffaloes guard George King (24) as a scuffle breaks out during the first game of the Pac-12 tournament. Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports

Boston College's Nik Popovic (21) shoots against Georgia Tech during the second half of a first-round game of the ACC tournament at Barclays Center. Boston College won the game, 87-77. Nicole Sweet, USA TODAY Sports

College of Charleston's Marquise Pointer (left) raises his hands in celebration after hitting a three-pointer late in overtime while Northeastern's Vasa Pusica hangs his head during the Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship. College of Charleston won 83-76 in overtime. Mic Smith, AP

UNC-Greensboro's Francis Alonso (right) and teammates celebrate their team's 62-47 win over East Tennessee State in the Southern Conference tournament championship. Alonso was awarded MVP of the game. Kathy Kmonicek, AP

Gonzaga's Zach Norvell Jr. shoots the basketball against San Francisco's Jamaree Bouyea during the second half in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Gonzaga won the game, 88-60. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports